Second arrest made in barracks fire case, Major faces criminally negligent manslaughter charges

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. A major in charge of the fire safety protection and rescue service, the chief of communal services at the barracks where 15 servicemen died as a result of the January 19 fire has been arrested.

This is the second arrest in the case.

The General Prosecution said the major, M.S., is facing criminal charges instituted under clause 3 of Article 550 of the Criminal Code (military official negligence which recklessly caused death).

The major was in charge of enforcing fire safety rules in the barracks, namely providing fire extinguishers in all barracks. He failed to fulfill his duties and negligently caused multiple deaths, prosecutors said.

Earlier on January 27, prosecutors said a military official, G.A., the Chief of Logistics of the military base/Deputy Commander for Logistics and Communal Maintenance who was also in charge of maintaining fire safety rules in the barracks was remanded in pre-trial detention on charges instituted under clause 3 of Article 550 of the Criminal Code (military official negligence which recklessly caused death).